Food Retailers Need to Press for Continued Debit Card Competition

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

It is time to make it clear to your Member of Congress that you strongly oppose repealing these important debit reforms and that you are watching how they vote on this issue. We hope you will support these efforts by sending a letter in opposition to the legislation we feel is more appropriately called the “No-Choice Act”.

By: Jennifer Hatcher, Chief Public Policy Officer and Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Food Marketing Institute <iframe width="400" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qcKA10nnQjY" frameborder="0"></iframe> FMI understands that operating your business amid the extraordinary growth in government regulation has been challenging. Labor costs, healthcare costs and taxes have increased. You have had to wrestle with getting EMV readers in lanes and working. But grocers have had one solid win—debit reform. FMI food retailers were leaders in designing legislation that brought transparency, predictability and competition to the debit marketplace in 2010. Now, new legislation is threatening your businesses. What is most concerning is that the bill just passed the Financial Services Committee without a single Democrat vote and several Republican abstentions. Even without bipartisan support, Chairman Jeb Hensarling is pushing to get a vote on the House floor that ultimately only helps the big banks. This bill, H.R. 5983, the “Choice Act”, rolls back the six year old law, taking away competition and our win in debit reform. Those who follow rate increases witnessed an increase every year before this legislation—with no ability to control it. Before the legislation, you were also being forced to route your transactions through a particular network, eliminating competition that is now providing greater efficiency and lower costs. Those of you wrestling with incredibly slow EMV migration, as well as EMV transactions know firsthand the impact of these bad ideas. It is time to make it clear to your Member of Congress that you strongly oppose repealing these important debit reforms and that you are watching how they vote on this issue. We hope you will support these efforts by sending a letter in opposition to the legislation we feel is more appropriately called the “No-Choice Act”. Contact your member of Congress about this issue at <a href="http://foodaction.net/">www.FoodAction.net</a>.

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.